7News has been closely following the establishment of Belize's National Road Safety Strategy. It is an initiative funded by the Government of Belize, and the Caribbean Development Bank to make Belize's highways safer.
We've told you about the first phase of the project to establish defensive driving, and now, the project is move along with the launching of the National Road Safety Committee.
Today, there was a small ceremony to note importance of the committee, and the CEO of the Ministry of Economic Development explained its mandate:
Yvonne Hyde - CEO of the Ministry of Economic Development
"The establishment of this committee is a condition of the finance agreement between the government and Caribbean Development Bank with respect to the road safety project - it is a condition but it's also a very important link forward in terms of government's plan in the area of road safety, citizens' security. This project is expected to serve as a launch pad in a comprehensive and longer term road safety strategy. Given the mortality rate in 2012 of 21 deaths per 100,000 people approximately 1 to 2 deaths every week on the average. Our vision for improving road safety is that through an integrated and comprehensive approach, along with demonstrative respect on part of all road users, the frequency of traffic collisions and road trauma will be reduced. The mandate of the National Road Safety Committee is to facilitate an effective implementation of a road safety strategy, the committee will establish a nation wide mechanism by which to provide leadership, direction, coordination and evaluation of road safety initiatives across the country. The committee will in particular sit to enhance collaboration among all road safety partners including law enforcement, education and engineering organizations including the private and business sectors to improve road safety practices across Belize."
The National Road Safety Committee will be co-chaired by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Ministry of Works and Transport.
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